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Author Ahrendt, L.P.; Labouriau, R.; Malmkvist, J.; Nicol, C.J.; Christensen, J.W.
Title Development of a standard test to assess negative reinforcement learning in horses Type Journal Article
Year (down) 2015 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 169 Issue Pages 38-42
Keywords Algometry; Horse behaviour; Learning performance; Operant conditioning; Pressure-release; Horse training
Abstract Most horses are trained by negative reinforcement. Currently, however, no standardised test for evaluating horses' negative reinforcement learning ability is available. The aim of this study was to develop an objective test to investigate negative reinforcement learning in horses. Twenty-four Icelandic horses (3 years old) were included in this study. The horses were tested in a pressure-release task on three separate days with 10, 7 and 5 trials on each side, respectively. Each trial consisted of pressure being applied on the hindquarter with an algometer. The force of the pressure was increased until the horse moved laterally away from the point of pressure. There was a significant decrease in required force over trials on the first test day (P<0.001), but not the second and third day. The intercepts on days 2 and 3 differed significantly from day 1 (P<0.001), but not each other. Significantly stronger force was required on the right side compared to the left (P<0.001), but there was no difference between first and second side tested (P=0.56). Individual performance was evaluated by median-force and the change in force over trials on the first test day. These two measures may explain different characteristics of negative reinforcement learning. In conclusion, this study presents a novel, standardised test for evaluating negative reinforcement learning ability in horses.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6650
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Author Krueger, K.; Farmer, K.; Heinze, J.
Title The effects of age, rank and neophobia on social learning in horses Type Journal Article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Animal Cognition Abbreviated Journal Anim. Cogn.
Volume 17 Issue 3 Pages 645-655
Keywords Horse; Social learning; Sociality; Ecology; Social relationships
Abstract Social learning is said to meet the demands of complex environments in which individuals compete over resources and co-operate to share resources. Horses (Equus caballus) were thought to lack social learning skills because they feed on homogenously distributed resources with few reasons for conflict. However, the horse’s social environment is complex, which raises the possibility that its capacity for social transfer of feeding behaviour has been underestimated. We conducted a social learning experiment using 30 socially kept horses of different ages. Five horses, one from each group, were chosen as demonstrators, and the remaining 25 horses were designated observers. Observers from each group were allowed to watch their group demonstrator opening a feeding apparatus. We found that young, low ranking, and more exploratory horses learned by observing older members of their own group, and the older the horse, the more slowly it appeared to learn. Social learning may be an adaptive specialisation to the social environment. Older animals may avoid the potential costs of acquiring complex and potentially disadvantageous feeding behaviours from younger group members. We argue that horses show social learning in the context of their social ecology, and that research procedures must take such contexts into account. Misconceptions about the horse’s sociality may have hampered earlier studies.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Springer Berlin Heidelberg Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1435-9448 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5737
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Author Krueger, K.; Flauger, B.; Farmer, K.; Hemelrijk, C.
Title Movement initiation in groups of feral horses Type Journal Article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Behavioural Processes Abbreviated Journal Behav. Process.
Volume 103 Issue Pages 91-101
Keywords Horse; Equus ferus caballus; Distributed leadership; Herding; Departure; Rank
Abstract Abstract Herds of ungulates, flocks of birds, swarms of insects and schools of fish move in coordinated groups. Computer models show that only one or very few animals are needed to initiate and direct movement. To investigate initiation mechanisms further, we studied two ways in which movement can be initiated in feral horses: herding, and departure from the group. We examined traits affecting the likelihood of a horse initiating movement i.e. social rank, affiliative relationships, spatial position, and social network. We also investigated whether group members join a movement in dominance rank order. Our results show that whereas herding is exclusive to alpha males, any group member may initiate movement by departure. Social bonds, the number of animals interacted with, and the spatial position were not significantly associated with movement initiation. We did not find movement initiation by departure to be exclusive to any type of individual. Instead we find evidence for a limited form of distributed leadership, with higher ranking animals being followed more often.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0376-6357 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5738
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Author Austin, N.P.; Rogers, L.J.
Title Lateralization of agonistic and vigilance responses in Przewalski horses (Equus przewalskii) Type Journal Article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal
Volume 151 Issue Pages 43-50
Keywords Behavioural lateralization: Eye preference; Limb preference; Aggression; Vigilance; Reactivity; Przewalski horses
Abstract tEye and limb preferences were scored in the closest undomesticated relative of Equuscaballus using the same methods as used previously to study laterality in feral horses.Observations were made of 33 Przewalski horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) (male N = 20,female N = 13) living under natural social conditions on a large reserve in France. Signifi-cant left-eye/side biases were found in agonistic interactions within harem bands (M ± SEbias to left 58% ± 0.01 for threats, P < 0.001; 68% ± 0.05 for attacks; P < 0.001) and in stallionfights (threats, 52% ± 0.01 left, P < 0.001; attacks, 63% ± 0.02 left, P < 0.001): as many as 80%of the horses were significantly lateralized in attack responses within harem bands. Lat-erality of vigilance was measured as lifting up the head from grazing and turning it to theleft or right side: a directional bias to the left was found (M ± SE 53% ± 0.02 left, P < 0.001).Side bias in reactivity was calculated as the percent of head lifts above the level of thewithers on the left or right side and this was also left side biased (M ± SE 73% ± 0.03 left,P < 0.001). These results indicate right-hemisphere specialization for control of aggressionand responses to novelty. The left bias in attack scores within harem bands was strongerin males than females (P = 0.024) and in immature than adult horses (P = 0.032). Immaturehorses were also more strongly lateralized than adults in vigilance scores (P = 0.022), whichmay suggest that experience reduces these side biases. Our results show that Przewalskihorses exhibit left eye preferences, as do feral horses, and do so even more strongly thanferal horses. Considering feral and Przewalski horses together, we deduce that ancestralhorses had similar lateral biases. Also similar to feral horses, the Przewalski horses showedno significant forelimb preference at the group level or in the majority of horses at theindividual level, confirming the hypothesis that previously reported limb preferences indomestic breeds are entrained or generated by breed-specific selection.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5768
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Author Benz, B.; Münzing, C.; Krueger, K.; Winter, D.
Title Ethologische Untersuchung von Heuraufen in der Pferdehaltung [Ethological investigation of hayracks in equine husbandry] Type Journal Article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Landtechnik Abbreviated Journal Landtechnik
Volume 69 Issue 5 Pages 239-244
Keywords Pferdehaltung, Fressverhalten, Futterraufen [horse keeping, feeding behaviour, roughage racks]
Abstract Eine tiergerechte, physiologisch und anatomisch auf die Bedürfnisse der Pferde ausgerichtete

Raufutterversorgung sollte die Kaubedürfnisse und die Beschäftigungszeiten von Pferden

ausreichend berücksichtigen. Daher – und auch aufgrund des bestehenden Kostendrucks bei

Raufutter – steigt das Interesse an Raufutterraufen, durch die möglicherweise die Futteraufnahmezeiten

verlängert sowie Futterverluste minimiert werden können.

Die vorliegende Untersuchung vergleicht das Fressverhalten und die Körperhaltung von acht

Pferden beim Einsatz von drei unterschiedlichen Futterraufen mit der Bodenfütterung in Einzelboxenhaltung.

Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie lassen den Schluss zu, dass der Einsatz von

Raufutterraufen die Futteraufnahmezeiten verlängert und somit längere Beschäftigungszeiten

für die Futteraufnahme gewährleistet werden. Außerdem konnte festgestellt werden, dass die

Pferde das Raufutter bei einer der drei untersuchten Raufen überwiegend mit natürlicher Kopf-

Hals-Haltung aufnahmen.

[Regarding the species horse, an appropriate supply of roughage should take into account the

need to chew as well as the need for occupation. In this context, and due to the current cost

pressure for hay, the interest in roughage racks increases. It is assumed that roughage racks

could help to extend the feeding time and reduce food losses.

The present study places the emphasis on the observation of the feeding behaviour of eight

horses in single horse boxes. Three different roughage racks are compared to traditional feeding

on the floor. On the basis of the results it may be concluded that the use of roughage racks

extends the feeding time and thus ensures longer occupation. In one of the three roughage

racks investigated the horses mainly eat in a natural posture of their head and neck.]
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5840
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Author Kedzierski, W.; Wilk, I.; Janczarek, I.
Title Physiological response to the first saddling and first mounting of horses: comparison of two sympathetic training methods Type Journal Article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Animal Science Papers and Reports Abbreviated Journal
Volume 32 Issue 3 Pages 219-228
Keywords cortisol / emotional reaction/ horses / natural training / stress
Abstract There is not much research done on the influence of sympathetic training on the emotional reaction

of horses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the emotional response and the stress level

in horses to two sympathetic training methods: (1) with the use of the “round pen technique” (RP),

and (2) in which the RP was not applied (SH). Twenty two half-bred Anglo-Arab horses (2.5

years ±3 months of age) were subject to an initial training. Eleven horses were randomly included

to the RP method and the other 11 horses for the SH method. Heart rate (HR) and saliva cortisol

concentration were measured as indicators of horse emotional arousal and stress level, respectively.

The HR values were analysed: at rest, during the habituation period, just after the first saddling

and tightening of the girth, during the first time a human leaned over the horse’s back, and during

the mounting of the horse. Saliva samples were taken before and 15 min after each training session

studied. After saddling, the HR occurred significantly higher when the RP technique was used. The

significant increase in saliva cortisol concentration was observed only after the first mounting of

the horse. Generally, the use of the RP technique did not involve more important physiological

reactions in the trained horses than did the SH method.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5816
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Author Wolter, R.; Pantel, N.; Stefanski, V.; Möstl, E.; Krueger, K.
Title The role of an alpha animal in changing environmental conditions Type Journal Article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Physiology & Behavior Abbreviated Journal Physiol. Behav.
Volume 133 Issue Pages 236-243
Keywords Alpha male; Horse; Equus ferus przewalskii; Bachelor group; Group structure
Abstract Abstract The maintenance and development of conservation areas by grazing of large herbivores, such as Przewalski's horses, is common practice. Several nature conservation areas house male bachelor groups of this species. When males are needed for breeding they are removed from the groups, often without considering group compositions and individual social positions. However, alpha animals are needed for ensuring group stability and decision making in potentially dangerous situations in several species. To investigate the role of the alpha male in a bachelor group, we observed the behaviour of five Przewalski's horse males during the enlargement of their enclosure. We analyzed the group's social structure and movement orders, as well as the animals' connectedness, activity budgets, and whether they moved with preferred group members and how factors such as social rank influenced the horses' behaviour. We also investigated the excretion of glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM) via faeces of the horses while exploring a new area as a parameter of glucocorticoid production. Our results show that the alpha male is important for a bachelor group in changing environmental conditions. The alpha male had the highest level of connectedness within the group. When exploring the new environment, its position in the group changed from previously being the last to being the first. Furthermore the whole group behaviour changed when exploring the new area. The stallions showed reduced resting behavior, increased feeding and did not stay close to each other. We found that the excretion of glucocorticoid metabolites of most horses rose only marginally during the first days on the new area while only the alpha male showed a significant increased amount of glucocorticoid production during the first day of the enclosure enlargement.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0031-9384 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5818
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Author Benz, B.; Köhnke, J.; Kappelmann, K.
Title Bewertung einer Faltschieberanlage in einem Reitstall mit Paddockboxen[Assessment of a v-form scraper in a horse barn with paddock boxes] Type Journal Article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Landtechnik, Agricultural Engineering, Abbreviated Journal
Volume 68 Issue 4 Pages 242-247
Keywords Entmistungstechnik, Arbeitswirtschaft, Pferdeverhalten [Manure removal systems, working time requirement, horse behaviour]
Abstract In der vorliegenden Untersuchung werden in einem Praxisbetrieb die Verfahrenskosten eines

Faltschiebers erhoben. Aufgrund des reduzierten Arbeitszeitaufwandes ergibt sich durch den

Einsatz des Faltschiebers eine jährliche Kostenersparnis in Höhe von 78 € je Pferd. Durch die

Mechanisierung der Entmistung kann fast 30 % der Arbeitszeit in der Pensionspferdehaltung

eingespart werden. Beim Einsatz einer Entmistungstechnik spielt jedoch nicht nur die Ökonomie,

sondern darüber hinaus auch das Pferdeverhalten eine Rolle. Im selben Praxisbetrieb wird

nach Installation der Faltschieberanlage das Pferdeverhalten beim Erstkontakt mit dem Schieber

beobachtet. Dabei zeigt sich, dass die Pferde den direkten Kontakt mit der Entmistungstechnik

und somit kritische Situationen vermeiden.

[In the survey at hand, the procedural costs for a v-form scraper are gathered. In the process,

it is found that due to the reduced working time requirement the use of a v-form scraper

saves € 78/horse/year. The mechanization of manure removal can reduce working time in

horse keeping by almost 30 percent. However, using manure removal systems, the profitability

is not the only crucial criteria. The behaviour of the horses plays an essential role, too.

Moreover the horses’ behaviour when first encountering the manure scraper is observed. The

study reveals that the horses avoid contact with the scraper and thereby also shirk critical

situations.]
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5841
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Author Graf, P.; König von Borstel, U.; Gauly, M.
Title Practical considerations regarding the implementation of a temperament test into horse performance tests: Results of a large-scale test run Type Journal Article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue 6 Pages 329-340
Keywords novel object test; temperament; personality; horse; performance traits; performance tests
Abstract Abstract Considering the ever-growing demand of various breeding organizations for an objective, inexpensive, reliable, and easily conducted assessment of the behavior of horses, the aim of our study was to implement a novel-object test and a startling test into any kind of breeding performance testing to assess horses' temperament. Additionally, the influence of testing areas (familiar or unfamiliar), riders, and horse factors such as levels of training, breed, and age were of interest. Furthermore, recommendations for the practical implementation concerning the parameters should be given. Therefore, 1,028 horses over a period of 3 years participated in a temperament test consisting of 5 different stimuli. The horses were either ridden (61.8 %) or led by hand (38.2 %) by an unfamiliar professional rider (N = 43) or a familiar rider (N = 20). Live behavioral observations were taken by a trained observer. Overall, horses' scores for reactivity in the present temperament test were distributed over the whole scale, with lower means and higher standard deviations (6.7 ± 2.2-7.6 ± 2.1) than corresponding scores from the conventional personality evaluation in performance tests (7.7 ± 0.8-8.2 ± 0.5; P < 0.01). High correlations (r = 0.3-0.9; P < 0.001) between the scores for reactivity and the other behavioral parameters (emotional expression, activity, time to calm down, rider's aids) show a large influence of these parameters in assessing the horses' temperament. Factors like breed type, sex, and age had significant influences (P < 0.001) on different scores of the temperament test. In most cases, the rider or handler had no influence on the different scores assessed during the temperament test. The training level and the testing modus never had a significant influence on different scores. Only the testing station or location had a small influence on the scores for the stimulus “bridge” in some horses. Based on the results, it could be concluded that an implementation of a temperament tests into performance testing is possible during various types of testing procedure. Especially the assessment of reactivity, emotional expression, interest in the stimulus and rider's aids during and after passing the stimulus, as well as the time to calm down are important parameters for analyzing the horses' personality.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1558-7878 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5867
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Author Siniscalchi, M.; Padalino, B.; Lusito, R.; Quaranta, A.
Title Is the left forelimb preference indicative of a stressful situation in horses? Type Journal Article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Behavioural Processes Abbreviated Journal Behav. Process.
Volume 107 Issue Pages 61-67
Keywords Animal welfare; Ethology; Horse; Limb preference; Physiology
Abstract Abstract Evidence for behavioural and brain lateralisation is now widespread among the animal kingdom; lateralisation of limb use (pawedness) occurs in several mammals including both feral and domestic horses. We investigated limb preferences in 14 Quarter Horse during different motor tasks (walking, stepping on and off a step, truck loading and unloading). Population lateralisation was observed in two tasks: horses preferentially used their left forelimb during truck loading and stepping off a step. The results also revealed that horses showed higher scores for anxious behaviours during truck loading suggesting that the use of the left forelimb in this task may reflect the main role of the right hemisphere in control of behaviour during stressful situation.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0376-6357 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6041
Permanent link to this record